Meal, n. [OE. mel; akin to E. meal a part, and to D. maal time, meal, G. mal time, mahl meal, Icel. mal measure, time, meal, Goth. ml time, and to E. measure. See Measure.]

The portion of food taken at a particular time for the satisfaction of appetite; the quantity usually taken at one time with the purpose of satisfying hunger; a repast; the ac or time of eating a meal; as, the traveler has not eaten a good meal for a week; there was silence during the meal.

Grain (esp. maize, rye, or oats) that is coarsely ground and unbolted; also, a kind of flour made from beans, pease, etc.; sometimes, any flour, esp. if coarse.

2.

Any substance that is coarsely pulverized like meal, but not granulated.

Meal beetleZool., the adult of the meal worm. See Meal worm, below. -- Meal mothZool., a lepidopterous insect (Asopia farinalis), the larvae of which feed upon meal, flour, etc. -- Meal wormZool., the larva of a beetle (Tenebrio molitor) which infests granaries, bakehouses, etc., and is very injurious to flour and meal.